Snap-action switch



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4w. A. TRATSCH 414,77

SNAP-ACTION SWITCH Filed` Nov. 5 1945 'of contact heads II.

Patented Jan. 2l,- 1947 SNAP-ACTION SWITCH Walter A. Tratsch, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Clarence E. Threedy, Chicago, Ill., as trustee Application November 5, 1945, Serial N0. 626,589

I t is an object of the present invention to provide a snap-action switch which will snap in trigger-like action to make a positive contact .and one which cannot be easily jarred apart and yet will have all the sensitivity required of certain apparatuses of this character.

`Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawing showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views in reverse order of the snap-action switch embodying the invention; v

Fig. 3 is a side view of the same;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing .the parts in different positions with respect to each other;V

Figs. 5 and 6 are front and rear views, respectively, of the switch embodying the invention.

Referring to the drawing, I0 indicates a ilexiblev contact blade having on opposite sides there- These heads II are adapted to engage contact points I2 arranged on opposite sides of the blade I0 in the path of movement of the contact blade I0 and are carried by conductor arms I3.

The contact blade I0 is ofresilient material whereby to move in trigger-like action from and into alternate engagement with the points I2. The conductorvarms I3 are preferably formed of substantially rigid plate material and formed as-an integral part of enlarged portions I5, each providing an extended portion I6 for connection with a circuit or conductor wire (not shown).

Thel contact blade I0 and enlargements I5 of the arms I3 are mountedin a mounting block Il `and separated from each other by laminated sheets of insulating material which sheets constitute the block I4 and are secured together by nut bearing bolts I1, one of which bolts I'I has contact with the contacty blade III and to this bolt is connected a circuit or conductor wire (not shown). y

Carried by the block I4 and insulated by the sheets thereof from the arms I3 is an actuating 1 claim. (ci. zoo-.67)

gitudinal axis. Acting upon this second actuating arm 2| is the outer arm I9, and it is connected for this purpose with the inner arm 2| by means of a U-shaped spring element 26 having its opposite end portions provided with slots 21 which receive extending lips 28 provided by the inner and outer arms 2| and I9, respectively. This spring element 26 is located lwith respect to the arm I9 on the side opposite to where the spring 25 is located with respect to the arm 2|.

The arrangement is such that this spring 26 is biased to act upon the inner arm 2| to snap the inner arm 2| alternately on opposite sides of its longitudinal axis in a direction opposite to the snap-action movement of the blade I0 by the spring element 25.

By theuse of a switch constructed in accordance with the foregoing description read in the light of the accompanying drawing, not only is arm I9 provided with a medial slotted portion Y 20. A: second actuating arm 2| of a smaller size than the arm I9 and a size suiiicient to occupy the major portion of the cut-out portion 20 is carried by the block I4 and likewise insulated by the sheets thereof from the arms I3. VThe second actuating arm is likewise provided with a medial slot 20' occupied by the contact plate I0. It also provides a` depending lip 22. The blade I0 is provided with upstanding lip 23, these lips 22 and 23 projecting into slots 24 formed in the opposite end portion oanU-shaped spring element 25 which is so biased as to throw the blade I0 in alternate action on opposite sides of its lonthe sensitivity of the switch maintained, but it is greatly increased over prior switches of this general type. Also, by the employment of the double-acting 'spring elements, an increased snap-action results in the operation of the switch, and these spring elements cooperate together not only for this last stated Purpose but also toI assure a positive contact, one that is not easily Jarred apart by shock or other disturbances.

While I have illustrated and described the pre- Iferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modication without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited t0 the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail' myself of such variations and modifications as come, within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

A snap-action switch comprising a switch blade having a contact head extending on opposite sides thereof, an insulating mounting block for said blade, contact arms carried by said mounting block out of contact with said blade, and provided with contact plates vadapted to be' alternatively engaged by the contact head, an

actuating arm carried by said block and insu-r lated thereby from said contact arms, a spring connection between said arm and said blade for biasing the blade on opposite sides of -its longitudinal axis, a second actuating arm carried] by said block and insulated thereby from said contact arms, and spring means connecting said second actuating arm with said rst-mentioned actuating arm for biasing said actuatingarm alternatively on opposite sides of itslongitudinal axis in a direction opposite to the biasing of the y contact blade by said spring means connecting said second actuating arm tovsaid blade.

WALTER A. TRTscH. 

